Waterproof combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio and method of waterproof enclosure fabrication

ABSTRACT

A combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) that is configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more other such units and that includes a substantially waterproof enclosure for protection of the electronic components contained therein is provided. The substantially waterproof enclosure includes first and second cooperatively mated housing sections which, when mated, form an internal compartment or chamber for enclosing electronic components of the GPS/radio unit. The waterproof enclosure may further include a cover positioned over a plurality of tubular structures which protrude from a top end wall of the second housing section. Also provided is a method of waterproofing a GPS/radio unit including a number of different techniques for waterproofing different features and elements of the enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to a combined global positioningsystem receiver and radio unit. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a combined global positioning system navigation unit andtwo-way radio communications unit that includes a substantiallywaterproof enclosure for protection of the electronic componentscontained therein, and method of fabrication of the substantiallywaterproof enclosure.

2. State of the Art

A global positioning system (GPS) is an electronic satellite navigationsystem that permits a user of the system to determine his or herposition with respect to the Earth. Global positioning may beaccomplished through the use of a handheld GPS receiver device thatdetects and decodes signals from a number of satellites orbiting theEarth. The signals from each of these satellites indicate the positionof the satellite and the time at which the signal was sent. To decodethe satellite signals, known as spread spectrum signals, and therebycalculate the desired navigational data, a GPS receiver must first“find” or acquire the signals emitted from a minimum number ofsatellites. Once the receiver is “locked on” to the spread spectrumsignals, continuous real-time calculation and monitoring of the user'sglobal position and other navigational data (e.g., velocity of movement)may be performed.

GPS receivers have clocks that are synchronized with clocks in each ofthe satellites to determine how long it takes the signals to travel fromthe satellites to the receiver. In this regard, GPS receivers require ahighly accurate internal frequency reference in order to acquire thespread spectrum GPS satellite signals. Specifically, acquiring spreadspectrum satellite signals from a sufficient number of satellites toperform calculations requires determining the frequency of oscillationof the crystal oscillator utilized in the GPS receiver.

Once the GPS receiver has acquired and decoded signals from a minimum ofthree satellites, the GPS receiver can calculate the user's position(i.e., latitude and longitude) by geometric triangulation. Uponacquiring signals from a minimum of four satellites, the GPS receivercan also calculate the user's altitude. In addition, GPS receivers areable to calculate the user's speed and direction of travel bycontinuously updating the user's position. Accordingly, GPS receiversare highly valuable and widely used in navigational systems because oftheir ability to accurately compute the user's position on or near theEarth in real-time, even as the user is moving.

In addition to the growing popularity and demand for GPS navigationaldevices, portable two-way radios continue to enjoy widespreadpopularity. In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)established the Family Radio Service (FRS) so that families and othersmall groups could communicate with one another over very shortdistances (typically less than one mile) at no charge and without an FCClicense. The FRS, which is one of the Citizens Band Radio Services,includes fourteen channels in the UHF 460 MHz band. There are a numberof commercially available two-way radios that are designed for use withthe FRS. The increasing use of both portable two way radios and globalpositioning systems has led to proposals to incorporate GPS receiversinto portable radio devices.

The first combined portable GPS receiver and two-way radio unit that iscapable of displaying the location of at least one other such unit (aswell as its own location) was recently developed by GarminInternational, Inc. of Olathe, Kans. and is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,373,430 (hereinafter the “'430 patent”). The combined globalpositioning system receiver and two-way radio unit of the '430 patent iscapable of communicating with one or more other such units over awireless radio network, wherein each of the units is adapted to transmitover the network radio signals indicative of that unit's location. TheGPS/radio unit includes a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signalsfrom a plurality of satellites, a processor coupled with the GPSreceiver for calculating the location of the GPS/radio unit as afunction of the received satellite signals, and a radio receiver coupledwith the processor for receiving the radio signals transmitted by theother units. The processor is adapted to identify the location of theother units based upon the received radio signals. The GPS/radio unitalso includes a display for indicating its own location as well as thelocation of at least one of the other units. The disclosure of the '430patent is hereby incorporated herein by this reference as if set forthin its entirety.

The GPS/radio unit of the'430 patent includes a portable, handheldhousing for housing the unit electronic components, e.g., the GPSreceiver, the processor, the radio receiver and the display. However,the electronic components contained within the housing are vulnerable topotential harmful effects which may be caused by ingress of water (orother liquid) through the housing. Such ingress is of concern if theGPS/radio unit is dropped into a puddle, pond, river, stream or otherbody of water, if water or other liquid is splashed onto the GPS/radiounit, or if the user of the GPS/radio unit is caught in inclementweather such as rain or snow.

Thus, the inventors have recognized that it would be advantageous toprovide a combined two-way radio communications unit and GPS navigationunit configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more other suchunits and which includes a substantially waterproof enclosure forprotecting the electronic components housed therein from the potentiallyharmful effects of liquid ingress. It would be further advantageous toprovide such substantially waterproof enclosure in a compact, robust yetrelatively inexpensive form, the components of which are easy tofabricate and assemble.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a combined global positioning systemreceiver and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) thatincludes a substantially waterproof enclosure for protection of theelectronic components contained therein. The GPS/radio unit isconfigured for wirelessly communicating with at least one other suchGPS/radio unit over a wireless radio network, the at least one otherGPS/radio unit being configured for transmitting radio signalsindicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit includes a globalpositioning system receiver for receiving satellite signals from aplurality of satellites, a processor coupled with the global positioningsystem receiver for calculating the location of the GPS/radio unit as afunction of the received satellite signals, and a radio transceivercoupled with the processor for receiving the radio signals transmittedby the at least one other GPS/radio unit and for transmitting a radiosignal to the at least one other GPS/radio unit. The transmitted radiosignal is indicative of a location of the GPS/radio unit. The processoris configured to identify the location of the at least one otherGPS/radio unit based upon the received radio signals. The GPS/radio unitalso includes a display for indicating the location of at least one ofthe other GPS/radio units and a substantially waterproof enclosure forhousing the global positioning system receiver, the processor, the radiotransceiver and the display.

The present invention further encompasses a substantially waterproofenclosure for a combined global positioning system receiver and two-wayradio communications unit (GPS/radio unit). The substantially waterproofenclosure includes a first housing section and a second housing sectionconfigured to cooperatively mate with one another in a water tightrelationship. The waterproof enclosure may further include a coverconfigured to be positioned over a plurality of tubular structures whichprotrude upwardly from a top end wall of the second housing section. Thecover includes a body portion which may be received in a cavity formedupon cooperatively coupling the first and second housing sections to oneanother.

Still further, the present invention encompasses a method forfabricating a substantially waterproof enclosure for a combined globalpositioning system navigation unit and two-way radio communications unit(GPS/radio unit). The method comprises forming the first and secondhousing sections, preferably by molding. The first housing section isthen subjected to a second molding operation wherein an elastomer may beselectively placed to provide elastomeric covers over apertures atlocations of movable user input elements to be carried by the GPS/radiounit and to provide an elastomeric gasket along a peripheral edge of thefirst housing section to be placed and compressed against acooperatively configured peripheral edge of the second housing sectionupon assembly of the two housing sections. The method further comprisesdisposing components of a GPS/radio unit that is configured forwirelessly communicating with at least one other such unit at leastpartially within an enclosure or section thereof having at least oneopening through a wall thereof, and sealing the at least one opening tosubstantially prevent the ingress of water or other liquid through theat least one opening. The method further comprises placing anelastomeric cover over a portion of the enclosure in an interferingrelationship with an outer wall thereof to form a substantiallywaterproof seal therewith. Additional and more specific aspects ofproviding waterproofing to different elements and features of thesubstantially waterproof enclosure, and of forming the housing sectionsof the waterproof enclosure, are also disclosed herein and encompassedby the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description and apparent from the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same orsimilar parts throughout the different views. The drawings illustrateprinciples of the invention and, although not necessarily to scale, showrelative dimensions.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the components of an exemplary combinedglobal positioning system receiver and two-way communications unit(GPS/radio unit);

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exemplary, assembled GPS/radiounit in accordance with the present invention, which combined GPS/radiounit includes a waterproof enclosure for protection of the electroniccomponents contained therein;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the GPS/radio unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the first housing section of a twosection waterproof enclosure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the first housing section of FIG.4, FIG. 5A is an enlarged elevation of the location thereon wherein amicrophone is to be placed and FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross sectionalview of a peripheral edge of a portion of the first housing section andan elastomeric gasket formed thereon;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the second housing section of thetwo section waterproof enclosure in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the second housing section of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the second housing sectionof FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of an exemplary assembled GPS/radiounit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the second housing section ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the second housing section ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the second housing section of FIG.8;

FIG. 15 is across-sectional view taken along line 15—15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the assembled GPS/radio unitof FIG. 2; and

FIG. 17 is a left side elevational view of an assembled GPS/radio unitof FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a combined global positioningsystem receiver and two-way radio communications unit that is configuredfor wirelessly communicating with one or more other such units and thatincludes a waterproof enclosure for protection of the electroniccomponents contained therein. The particular embodiments describedherein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather thanrestrictive. Additional embodiments will become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertainswithout departing from its scope.

Referring to the figures in general, and initially to FIG. 1 inparticular, a block diagram of the electronic components of an exemplarycombined global positioning system and two-way radio communications unit(GPS/radio unit) is illustrated. The combined GPS/radio unit is denotedgenerally by reference numeral 10, and is sized and configured as ahandheld unit. The GPS/radio unit 10 includes a GPS receiver 12, a GPSantenna 14, a radio transceiver 16 and a radio antenna 18. The GPSreceiver 12 and radio transceiver 16 are electronically coupled with aprocessor 20 that has an associated memory 22 for storing informationsuch as cartographic data (e.g., electronic maps). The cartographic datamay be stored on cartridges that can be removably attached and operablycoupled to the unit. For example, an electronic map of a particular cityor national park may be stored in a single cartridge. The memory 22 mayalso store historical location data for the GPS/radio unit 10 or forother units that have transmitted location data to the unit 10.

The combined GPS/radio unit 10 also includes a microphone 24, a speaker26, a user input 28 and a display 30. It is currently preferred that thedisplay 30 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD). Further, it iscurrently preferred that the user input 28 comprises a five-way cursorfor accessing data and navigating within a menu-driven display program.However, it will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the user input 28 may comprise an alphanumerickeypad, such as a telephone keypad, which may be used to select andinput a name or other identifier for the unit using any combination ofthe letters, numbers, or symbols which are available on the keypad.Additionally, the user input 28 may comprise a microphone/voicerecognition input, touch screen, or any other user input 28 known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. All such variations are contemplatedto be within the scope of the present invention. When the GPS/radio unit10 is assembled, it is currently preferred that the user input 28 isgenerally centrally located within aperture 70 with respect to theexterior surface 48 of the front wall 40 (see FIG. 4) of the firsthousing section 36 of the GPS/radio unit 10 to facilitate one-handeduser operation, as more fully described below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the GPS/radio unit 10 of the present inventionincludes & waterproof enclosure 32 for housing the internal componentsthereof and protecting the same from the potential harmful effects ofwater ingress. As used herein, the term “water” encompasses and includesnot only water per se, but also any other liquid, and is not limited tosuch substances in a liquid state but also in a vapor state. Theillustrated waterproof enclosure 32 includes a two-section plastichousing 34 and a flexible elastomeric cover 132 positioned to cover anuppermost region of the two-section plastic housing 34, as more fullydescribed below. The two-section plastic housing 34 is comprised of afirst housing section 36 and a second housing section 38. When theGPS/radio unit 10 is assembled, the first and second housing sections36, 38 fit together in a water tight, cooperatively mated relationshipto define an internal compartment or chamber in which the internalelectronic components of the GPS/radio unit 10 (e.g., the GPS receiver12, the processor 20, the radio transceiver 16, the radio antenna 18,the GPS antenna 14 and the display 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1) may beenclosed and protected. Fabrication of the first and second housingsections 36 and 38 and assembly of the GPS/radio unit 10 is more fullydescribed below.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first housing section 36 of thetwo-section plastic housing 34 is shown. The first housing section 36includes a front wall 40, first and second side walls 42, 44, a top wall45 and a bottom wall 46. An exterior surface 48 of the front wall 40 isvisible from the front of the GPS/radio unit 10 when the GPS/radio unit10 is assembled. An interior surface 50 of the front wall 40, the sidewalls 42, 44, the top wall 45 and the bottom wall 46 forms an interiorcavity 52 within which a number of the internal electronic components ofthe GPS/radio unit 10 may be positioned. When cooperatively mated withthe second housing section 38, as more fully described below, theinterior cavity 52 of the first housing section 36 and an interiorcavity 97 of the second housing section 38 cooperate with one another toform a substantially water tight internal compartment wherein theinternal components of the GPS/radio unit 10 may be enclosed.

To elaborate on the fabrication of first and second housing sections 36and 38, each housing section 36, 38 is preferably formed as asingle-piece rigid plastic component by injection molding, althoughother suitable molding techniques may be employed. A polycarbonate iscurrently preferred as the material for first and second housingsections 36 and 38. The first, or front, housing section may be formedin a two part molding operation wherein the rigid plastic componentformed in a first mold is placed in a second mold and an elastomer isselectively injected to into a cavity defined over peripheral edge 202of first housing section 36 to form an elastomeric gasket 200 extendingalong the peripheral edge 202 of first housing section 36 which willengage a cooperatively configured peripheral edge 204 of second, orrear, housing section 38. Elastomeric gasket 200 may best be seen inFIGS. 4, 5 and 5B. A currently preferred material for elastomeric gasket200 is a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer. As shown in enlarged detailin FIG. 5B, elastomeric gasket 200 is formed over, and in alignmentwith, peripheral edge 202, which includes a flat 206 and a protrusion208 extending therealong in the center of peripheral edge 202.Elastomeric gasket 200 is formed with a small seal bead 210 protrudingupwardly therefrom. Seal bead 210 is compressed against, and seals with,a polished, flat surface comprising peripheral edge 204 of secondhousing section 38 upon assembly of the first and second housingsections 36 and 38.

The second part of the molding operation may also be used to formelastomeric covers 86 and 88 over apertures 85 in front housing section36, the elastomeric covers 86 and 88 being adhered in place within theoutward ends of apertures 85 during the molding thereof. The second partof the molding operation for first housing section 36 may further beused to form a portion of optional gripping region 176 which, asillustrated, may be contiguous with elastomeric gasket 200 or which maybe discrete and separate therefrom. Likewise, another portion ofoptional gripping region 176 may be formed on second housing section 38in a second of a two part molding operation performed thereon.

The top wall 45 of the first housing section 36 and the portion of eachside wall 42, 44 proximate the top wall 45 include a continuous,upwardly extending ridge 54 protruding therefrom. The upwardly extendingridge 54 is molded to be coextensive with the exterior surface 48 of thefront wall 40 and the side walls 42, 44. As more fully described below,the second housing section 38 also includes a continuous ridge 93extending upwardly from a top end wall 96 and side walls 92, 94 thereof.When assembled, the two upwardly extending ridges 54, 93 cooperate withone another to form a cavity 99 (portions of cavity 99 depicted in FIGS.5 and 9) in which the body portion 134 of the flexible elastomeric cover132 which protects the GPS and radio antennas 14 and 18, respectively,from impact damage and water ingress may be received, as more fullydescribed below.

As best seen in FIG. 6, one such component positioned within theinterior cavity 52 of the first housing section 36 is the display 30.The front wall 40 of the first housing section 36 includes an opening 55(FIG. 5) therein sized and shaped to enable viewing of the display 30therethrough, the display 30 typically being slightly recessed from theplane of the exterior surface 48 of the front wall 40. It is currentlypreferred that the opening 55 in the front wall 40 and the display 30are positioned with respect to the exterior surface 48 of the front wall40 off center toward an upper region 56 thereof as shown.

Still referring to FIG. 6, a transparent plastic lens 58 is positionedover the surface of the display 30 which is exposed through the opening55 in the front wall 40 proximate the exterior surface 48 thereof, aswell as over the portion 57 of the exterior surface 48 of the front wall40 which surrounds the display 30. The transparent plastic lens 58includes a shape similar to that of the display 30 and is slightlylarger than the display 30. That is, the transparent plastic lens 58extends beyond the display 30 around an outer periphery thereof and issecured to the portion 57 of the exterior surface 48 of the front wall40 which surrounds the display 30 by a double-sided adhesive element 53.Suitable adhesive elements include an acrylic foam sheet with adhesiveon both sides and offered by 3M as product #4920, and a double-sidedadhesive element 5000N offered by Nitto-Denko. In this manner, theperiphery of the transparent plastic lens 58 forms a water tight sealwith the exterior surface 48 of the front wall 40, substantiallypreventing water from contacting the display 30 and thus from enteringthe internal compartment of the GPS/radio unit 10 through the displayopening 55.

Also positioned within the interior cavity 52 of the first housingsection 36 are the microphone 24 and the speaker 26 (see FIG. 1) throughwhich a user may communicate with users of other units. To facilitateuse of the speaker 26, the front wall 40 of the first housing section 36includes a number of small openings 60 therethrough (FIGS. 4 and 5). Itis currently preferred that the small openings 60 through the front wall40 are positioned off center toward a lower region 62 thereof as shown,and the speaker 26 correspondingly positioned within the interior cavity52. To prevent water, from entering the internal compartment of theGPS/radio unit 10 through the small openings 60 in the front wall 40,the cone 64 of speaker 26 is formed of a suitable waterproof materialalso well adapted to function as a speaker cone, such as MYLAR® polymer.A sealing element in the form of an O-ring or gasket 66 (a foam gasketbeing currently preferred) is then adhered to an annular protrusion 59on the interior surface 50 of the front wall 40 and a periphery of thecone of speaker 26, which is also mechanically clamped using, e.g., ametal clamp frame 68, to the protrusion 59 (see FIG. 6). In this manner,the metal clamp frame 68 latches over the O-ring or gasket 66, pressingagainst a periphery of the cone of speaker 26 and a water tight seal isformed using the material of the speaker cone 64 as a water-impermeablemembrane to prevent water from entering the internal compartment of theGPS/radio unit 10. Microphone 24 is mounted to the main printed circuitboard (not shown) at a location to be positioned in alignment with, andto be received within, substantially annular skirt 220 on the interiorsurface 50 of front wall 40 of first housing section 36 (see FIGS. 5 and5A). Aperture 222 extends through the wall of front housing sectionwithin annular skirt 220, and is covered with an air and soundpermeable, and water impermeable, hydrophobic patch 224 in the form of amembrane comprising a nonwoven fabric such as, by way of example only,VERSAPORE™ V-5000 R fabric from Gelman Sciences. Hydrophobic patch 224is secured at its periphery over aperture 222 by a suitable adhesive 226such as, by way of example only, a 3M product # 468 transfer adhesive.

Substantially centrally located with respect to the front wall 40 of thefirst housing section 36 is at least one aperture 70 (FIGS. 4 and 5)through which at least one user input 28 (FIG. 6) protrudes toward theexterior surface 48 of the front wall 40. In the illustrated embodiment,the user input 28 comprises a five-way cursor for accessing data andnavigating within a menu-driven display program. However, the user input28 may comprise an alphanumeric pad, microphone/voice recognition input,or the like, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thefive-way cursor user input 28 illustrated enables navigation in fourdirections (generally up, down and to each side) by appropriatelydirected lateral pressure, a selection being made and communicated tothe processor 20 by depression of the user input 28.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, to prevent water from entering theinternal compartment of the GPS/radio unit 10 through the at least oneaperture 70 (FIG. 5), a flexible elastomeric cover 72 (FIG. 6) may bepositioned over the user input 28. The flexible elastomeric cover 72includes a cup-shaped body portion 74 having a closed top end 76 and anopen bottom end 78, the body portion 74 forming a cavity sized andshaped to receive the user input 28. Extending about a periphery of theopen bottom end 78 is a flange 80, the terminal end 82 of which isturned upwardly from the plane of the flange 80. Upon assembly, the userinput 28 is fitted into the cavity formed by the body portion 74 and theupwardly turned terminal end 82 of the flange 80 is fitted within agroove 84 (FIG. 5) protruding from the interior surface 50 front wall 40in a resilient, compressed interference fit. In this manner, theflexible elastomeric cover 72 forms a water tight seal with the firsthousing section 36, substantially preventing water from contacting theuser input 28 through the aperture 70 in the front wall 40 and therebypreventing water from entering the internal compartment of the GPS/radiounit 10 through the aperture 70.

Optionally, the front wall 40 of the first housing section 36 mayinclude one or more additional apertures 85 through which one or morecontrol buttons may protrude toward the exterior surface 48 of the frontwall 40. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the GPS/radio unit 10includes two control buttons (not shown) protruding through the frontwall 40 of the first housing section 36 and covered by elastomericcovers 86, 88. The first control button covered by elastomeric cover 86may, for instance, be coupled with the processor 20 so that depressingthe first control button causes the GPS/radio unit 10 to immediatelytransmit a radio signal over the network indicative of the location ofthe GPS/radio unit 10. Similarly, the second control button covered byelastomeric cover 88 may, for instance, be coupled with the processor 20so that depressing the second control button causes the GPS/radio unit10 to immediately transmit a radio signal over the network requestingthat users of other units transmit their locations over the network. Itwill be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the control buttons may have any number of additional oralternative functions including, but not limited to, power, volumeadjustment and the like.

In order to protect the internal compartment of the GPS/radio unit 10from the ingress of water at the locations of the apertures 85 throughwhich the control buttons may protrude, flexible elastomeric covers 86,88 may be disposed over the control buttons in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with regard to the user input 28 and the correspondingaperture 70 in the front wall 40 of the first housing section 36.Alternatively, those portions of the housing section 36 overlying thecontrol buttons may be made thin-walled and flexible enough to permitdepression of the control buttons. However, it is currently preferred,as noted above, that flexible elastomeric covers 86, 88 be molded ontofront housing section 36 in a second part of a two-part injectionmolding operation used to form front housing section 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 13, front perspective views of the secondhousing section 38 of the two-section plastic housing 34 are shown, thefirst housing section 36 and electronic components being removed fromthe GPS/radio unit 10. The second housing section 38 is preferablyformed as a single molded component and includes a rear wall 90, firstand second side walls 92, 94, a bottom end wall 95 and a top end wall96. The top and bottom end walls 96, 95 and the first and second sidewalls 92, 94 form an interior cavity 97 within which a number of theinternal electronic components of the GPS/radio unit 10 may bepositioned.

The top end wall 96 of the second housing section 38 and the portion ofeach side wall 92, 94 proximate the top end wall 96 include an upwardlyextending ridge 93 (FIG. 9) protruding therefrom. The upwardly extendingridge 93 is molded to be coextensive with the exterior surface 150 ofthe rear wall 90 of the second housing section 38 and the side walls 92,94. As more fully described below, when assembled, the upwardlyextending ridge 93 of the second housing section 38 cooperates with theupwardly extending ridge 54 of the top wall 45 of the first housingsection 36 to form a cavity 99 (portions of cavity 99 illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 9) in which the body portion 134 of the flexible elastomericcover 132 may be received.

The first side wall 92 includes an extended portion 98 thereof. As bestseen in FIG. 17, the extended portion 98 includes a control button 100(or “push to talk” button) externally facing therefrom which may bedepressed by the user when he or she desires to communicate with theuser of another unit. Positioned to correspond with the control button100 is an elongated slot 102 through the first side wall 92 (FIGS. 9 and13). Upon assembly, a flex circuit 103 extends from the control button100 through the elongated slot 102 and into the interior cavity 97. Toprevent water from entering the interior cavity 97 and thus the internalcompartment of the GPS/radio unit 10 through the elongated slot 102, abead of room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) sealant is applied at thelocation of the elongated slot 102. The RTV sealant is typically appliedin a viscous liquid or gel-like state and cures at room temperature,creating a flexible elastomeric seal at the point of application. Thus,once the applied RTV sealant cures, a water tight seal is formed aboutthe flex circuit 103 as it passes through the elongated slot 102,preventing water from passing therethrough.

With reference to FIG. 13, the second side wall 94 of the second housingsection 38 includes an aperture 104 therein which is positioned tocorrespond with an audio jack 106 secured in a jack compartment 107 tothe rear wall 90 of the second housing section 38. If desired, an audiocomponent (not shown), e.g., a headset, may be operably coupled with theGPS/radio unit 10 by insertion of a male plug adapter thereof throughthe aperture 104 in the second side wall 94. As best seen in FIG. 16, acover 108 including a flexible elastomeric plug for insertion into theaperture 104 may be positioned over the aperture 104 when the audio jack106 is not in use. When a user desires to utilize the audio jack 106, heor she may simply remove the elastomeric plug from the aperture 104 andinsert the male plug adapter provided by the audio component (notshown).

An opening 110 (FIG. 13) in the wall of jack compartment 107 permitscommunication between the audio jack 106 and the processor 20 (e.g., oneor more wires may extend therethrough). While the cover 108 and/or themale plug adapter provided by the audio component (not shown) provide acertain amount of protection from water ingress through aperture 104, toensure that water may not leak beyond the audio jack 106 through theopening 110 in the wall of the jack compartment 107 and damage theinternal components of the GPS/radio unit 10, a dot of RTV sealant isapplied at the location of the opening 110 as discussed above withregard to the elongated slot 102 in the first side wall 92.

As best seen in FIG. 13, the top end wall 96 of the second housingsection 38 includes at least two apertures 112, 114 therein, the firstaperture 112 having a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter if theapertures are round) greater than the cross-sectional dimension of thesecond aperture 114. Extending from an external surface 115 of the topend wall 96 and positioned to correspond with the apertures 112, 114 isa pair of integral tubular structures 116, 118, access to the interiorof the tubular structures 116, 118 being permitted from the interiorcavity 97 of the GPS/radio unit 10 through the apertures 112 and 114,respectively. The interior surface of the first tubular structure 116corresponds in cross-sectional dimension to the first aperture 112 andis shaped to receive the GPS antenna 14 and the interior surface of thesecond tubular structure 118 corresponds in cross-sectional dimension tothe second aperture 114 and is shaped to receive the radio antenna 18.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of the first tubularstructure 116, taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 3, is illustrated. It willbe understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat, while not depicted, the details depicted in FIG. 7 are equallyapplicable to the second tubular structure 118 as well. The firsttubular structure 116 includes an open top end 120 thereof. Positionedproximate the open top end 120 is a cap 122. The cap 122 includes a bodyportion 124 sized and shaped to fit within the open top end 120 of thefirst plastic tubular structure 116 and a flange 126. The flange 126extends around the periphery of the body portion 124 and is of similarshape as the open top end 120 of the first tubular structure 116.However, the flange 126 has greater peripheral dimensions than the opentop end 120 such that when the cap 122 is positioned over the open topend 120 of the first tubular structure 116, the body portion 124 thereoffits within the open top end 120 and the flange 126 is prevented fromentering the open top end 120. Thus, the cap 122 effectively seals theopen top end 120 of the first tubular structure 116.

To prevent the ingress of water into the internal compartment of theGPS/radio unit 10 through the first tubular structure 116, a flexibleelastomeric cover 132 is positioned over the first tubular structure116. As best seen in FIG. 2, it is currently preferred that the flexibleelastomeric cover 132 be provided as a single element having a bodyportion 134, a first tubular portion 136, a second tubular portion 138and a connector portion 140. The connector portion 140 extends betweenthe first and second tubular portions 136, 138 and provides structuralintegrity to the flexible elastomeric cover 132. The first tubularportion 136 is sized and shaped to receive the first tubular structure116 and the second tubular portion 138 is sized and shaped to receivethe second tubular structure 118.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the first tubular portion 136 includes anannular protrusion 142 extending from an interior surface thereof, theinner diameter of annular protrusion 142 being sized slightly smallerthan the exterior surface the first plastic tubular structure 116. Thus,when the first tubular portion 136 is positioned over the first tubularstructure 116, the annular protrusion 142 from the first tubular portion136 bears against the exterior surface of the first tubular structure116, forming a flexible elastomeric ring that seals the first tubularstructure 116 from the ingress of water. It will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that, while not depicted in the drawingfigures, a similar flexible elastomeric seal is formed upon positioningthe second tubular portion 138 over the second tubular structure 118 aswell.

Optionally, the top end wall 96 of the second housing section 38 mayinclude one or more additional integral tubular structures 144 definingone or more openings 145 sized and shaped to receive a power indicatorlight, a power button, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13, one such additional tubular structure 144 is shown, tubularstructure 144 providing access to a power button or other switch element(not shown) accessible at the top thereof. It will be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art that there would also be acorresponding flexible segment 147 (FIG. 2) molded in the body portion134 of the flexible elastomeric cover 132 permitting necessary, tactileaccess to the indicator button or other switch element. A seal may beeffected between flexible elastomeric cover 132 and plastic tubularstructure 144 in a manner similar to that described with respect tofirst plastic tubular structure 116, e.g., through use of an annularprotrusion on an interior portion of elastomeric cover 132 configured tofit over tubular structure 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 14, also positioned on the rear wall 90 ofthe second housing section 38 is an electrical connector comprising anumber of connector pins 146, e.g., brass connector pins. The connectorpins 146 are configured to permit, for instance, downloading ofadditional cartographic data and the like through removable couplingwith an external device (not shown). As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 15,positioned to correspond with the connector pins 146 is a cavity 148 inthe exterior surface 150 of the rear wall 90 of the second housingsection 38 (i.e., the surface of the rear wall 90 which is visible fromthe backside of the GPS/radio unit 10 when the GPS/radio unit 10 isassembled). The bottom surface 152 of the cavity 148 includes at leastone opening 154 therein, the number of openings corresponding to thenumber of connector pins 146 desired. Fitted into each opening 154 in aninterference fit is a connector pin 146. Alternatively, the connectorpins 146 may be molded into the second housing section 38. Eachconnector pin 146 is positioned such that a portion thereof extends intothe internal compartment of the GPS/radio unit 10 and a portion thereofextends into the cavity 148 in the exterior surface 150 of the rear wall90. The interference fit of the connector pins 146 within openings 154provides a certain degree of protection against ingress of water.However, to further ensure that water may not enter the internalcompartment of the GPS/radio unit 10 through the opening(s) 154, a dotof RTV sealant may be applied at the location of the opening(s) 154 asdiscussed above with regard to the elongated slot 102 in the first sidewall 92.

As best seen in FIG. 11, when the connector pins 146 are not coupledwith an external device (not shown), a cover 156 comprising a rubber orplastic plug) may be placed within the cavity 148 in the exteriorsurface 150 of the rear wall 90. The plug is primarily for aestheticsand may, incidentally, provide some protection for connector pins 146against collection of debris and mechanical damage when the connectorpins 146 are not coupled with an external device (not shown) and anadapter (not shown) for the external device (not shown) provides someprotection when coupled with the connector pins 146.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 14, the exterior surface 150 of the rearwall 90 also includes two elongated, parallel depressions 158, 160 sizedand shaped to receive a pair of batteries (not shown) for powering theGPS/radio unit 10. Positioned to correspond with the paralleldepressions 158, 160 is a top protruding wall 162 and a bottomprotruding wall 164 to aid in holding the batteries (not shown) in placewithin the depressions 158, 160 (FIG. 10). At opposing longitudinal endsof each depression 158, 160 is a pair of battery terminals 166, 168,each battery terminal 166, 168 (FIG. 14) having associated therewith acorresponding opening 170, 172 (FIGS. 9 and 12) into the internalcompartment of the GPS/radio unit 10. To ensure that water may not enterthe internal compartment through the battery terminal openings 170, 172,a dot of RTV sealant is applied at the locations of the openings 170,172 as discussed above with regard to the elongated slot 102 in thefirst side wall 92.

Once the batteries (not shown) are positioned within the paralleldepressions 158, 160, a battery cover 173 (FIGS. 11 and 16) ispositioned over the batteries and the top and bottom protruding walls162, 164. Battery covers are known to those of ordinary skill in the artand, accordingly, the structure of the battery cover will not be furtherdiscussed herein. To secure the battery cover 173 in place, the rearwall 90 of the second housing section 38 includes a slot opening 174therein surrounded by an annular ridge 175, the slot opening 174 sizedand shaped to receive a corresponding protrusion (not shown) on thebattery cover 173 (FIGS. 9, 12 and 14). To secure the battery cover 173in place, the protrusion (not shown) is inserted into the slot opening174 and rotated about one-quarter turn (i.e., about 90 degrees). Whenrotated in this manner, the protrusion (not shown) is prohibited fromdisengaging the rear wall 90 of the second housing section 38 and, thus,the battery cover 173 is held in place. Such locking mechanisms areknown to those of ordinary skill in the art and will not be furtherdiscussed herein.

To prevent water from entering the internal compartment of the GPS/radiounit 10 through the slot opening 174, a bead of RTV sealant is appliedat the location of the slot opening 174 as discussed above with regardto the elongated slot 102 in the first side wall 92 to form a resilientgasket upon curing.

To assemble the waterproof GPS/radio unit 10 of the present invention,the first housing section 36 and the second housing section 38 arefitted together in a cooperatively mated relationship forming theinternal compartment in which the internal electronic components of theGPS/radio unit 10 are enclosed. The first side wall 42 of the firsthousing section 36 is cooperatively mated with the first side wall 92 ofthe second housing section 38, the second side wall 44 of the firsthousing section 36 is cooperatively mated with the second side wall 94of the second housing section 38, the bottom wall 46 of the firsthousing section 36 is cooperatively mated with the bottom end wall 95 ofthe second housing section 38 and the top wall 45 of the first housingsection 36 is cooperatively mated with the top end wall 96 of the secondhousing section 38. This cooperative mating of the first and secondhousing sections 36, 38 is effected through contact of the elastomericgasket 200 formed on the peripheral edge 202 of first housing sectionwith polished flat comprising the surface of the peripheral edge 204 ofthe second housing section 38. Compression of elastomeric gasket 200,and specifically of seal bead 210, creates a water tight seal along theline of contact around the periphery of the GPS/radio unit 10 andbetween first and second housing sections 36, 38. First housing section36 is secured to second housing section 38, and elastomeric gasket 200compressed therebetween, by the use of six self-threading screws (notshown) extending through apertures 212 in second housing section 38(FIG. 14) and into mutually aligned apertures 214 in bosses 216 in fronthousing section 36. When mated in this manner, the upwardly extendingridge 54 of the first housing section 36 and the upwardly extendingridge 93 of the second housing section 38 cooperate to form a cavity 99into which the body portion 134 of the flexible elastomeric cover 132 isreceived.

Prior to assembly of the first housing section 36 with the secondhousing section 38, the flexible elastomeric cover 132 is positionedover the first, second and, optionally, third tubular structures 116,118, 144 such that the first tubular structure 116 is received in thefirst tubular portion 136 of the flexible elastomeric cover 132, thesecond tubular structure 118 is received in the second tubular portion138 of the flexible elastomeric cover 132, the third tubular structure144 is appropriately aligned with flexible elastomeric cover 132 and thebody portion 134 is received in the cavity 99. Flexible cover 132 issecured to second housing section 38 using an RTV adhesive, whichadhesive also acts as a sealant to further ensure a watertight seal.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 16 and 17 and as previously described, an optionalgripping region 176 may be formed such that it extends over a portion ofthe exterior surface 150 of the rear wall 90 of the second housingsection 38, over a portion of the battery cover 173, over a portion ofthe exterior surface 48 of the front wall 40 of the first housingsection 36, over a portion of the side walls 42, 44 of the first housingsection 36 and over a portion of the side walls 92, 94 of the secondhousing section 38 as shown. The optional gripping region 176 may beformed, as previously noted, of an elastomer and may be secured to thefirst housing section 36 and the second housing section 38 as part ofthe molding thereof on those respective components. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 2, 16 and 17, the material forming the gripping region176 is received in a series of depressions 177 (best seen in FIG. 8) inthe exterior surface 48 of the front wall 40 of the first housingsection 36, the exterior surface 150 of the rear wall 90 of the secondhousing section 38, in the side walls 42, 44 of the first housingsection 36 and the side walls 92, 94 of the second housing section 38.In this embodiment, the gripping region 176 is slightly recessed fromthe remainder of the portable, handheld GPS/radio unit 10. It will beunderstood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe gripping region 176 may be flush with the remainder of the GPS/radiounit 10 or protrude therefrom and that such alternatives, as well as thecomplete omission of gripping region 176, are contemplated to be withinthe scope of the present invention. The gripping region 176 may includea number of bumps or protrusions 178 extending outwardly therefrom toassist a user in grasping the GPS/radio unit 10 without slippage.

The illustrated positioning of the user input 28, control buttons 86, 88and “push to talk” button 100 is currently preferred as it permitsergonomic handling of the GPS/radio unit 10 and one-handed useroperation. For example, in use, a user would grasp the GPS/radio unit 10such that the exterior surface 150 of the rear wall 90 of the secondhousing section 38 and the battery cover 173 are adjacent the palm ofthe user's hand. The user's thumb would then be able to easily accessand maneuver the user input 28 and the control buttons under elastomericcovers 86, 88 while the user's fingers would be positioned proximate the“push to talk” button 100 located on the first side wall 92 of thesecond housing section 38. Additionally, the user's hand would be incontact with the each gripping region 176 of the GPS/radio unit 10 andslippage thereof would be diminished.

When assembled as provided herein, the GPS/radio unit 10 of the presentinvention is capable of withstanding temporary immersion in water up toone meter deep. That is, ingress of water in quantities causing harmfuleffects to the internal electronic components of the GPS/radio unit 10shall not be possible when the GPS/radio unit 10 is temporarily immersedin water up to one meter deep under standardized conditions of pressureand time, i.e., about 30 minutes. (The water depth is measured from thebottom of the GPS/radio unit 10 to the top surface of the water andassumes the GPS/radio unit 10 is in an upright orientation or serviceposition.

While the GPS/radio unit 10 of the present invention has been disclosedherein in terms of an exemplary embodiment and variations thereof, thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that manyother additions, deletions, and modifications of the disclosedembodiment may be effected without departing from the scope of theinvention as hereinafter claimed. For instance, the positioning of thevarious control buttons, the type of user input utilized and thespecific methods of waterproofing each delineated location of theGPS/radio unit 10 may be modified without departing from the scopehereof.

1. A waterproof combined global positioning system navigation unit andtwo-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) configured forwirelessly communicating with at least one other such GPS/radio unit,the at least one other GPS/radio unit being configured to transmit radiosignals indicative of that GPS/radio unit's location, the GPS/radio unitcomprising: a global positioning system receiver for receiving satellitesignals from a plurality of satellites; a processor coupled with theglobal positioning system receiver for calculating the location of theGPS/radio unit as a function of the received satellite signals; a radiotransceiver coupled with the processor for receiving the radio signalstransmitted by the at least one other GPS/radio unit and fortransmitting a radio signal to the at least one other GPS/radio unit,wherein the transmitted radio signal is indicative of a location of theGPS/radio unit, and wherein the processor is configured to identity thelocation of the at least one other GPS/radio unit based upon thereceived radio signals; a display coupled with the processor forindicating the location of the at least one other GPS/radio unit; and awaterproof housing enclosing the global positioning system receiver, theprocessor, the radio transceiver and the display, the waterproof housingcomprising a first housing section and a second housing section, whereinthe second housing section is cooperatively coupled with the firsthousing section to create a watertight seal therewith, wherein one ofthe first housing section and the second housing section includes aperipheral edge carrying a continuous elastomeric gasket thereon, theother of the first housing section and the second housing sectionIncludes a peripheral edge against which the continuous elastomericgasket is compressed, and wherein the continuous elastomeric gasketIncludes a continuous seal head protruding from a face thereof, theperipheral edge of the other of the first housing continuous seal headis compressed against the polished flat.
 2. The waterproof GPS/radiounit of claim 1, wherein the first housing section includes a top walland first and second side walls, and wherein a ridge extends upwardlyfrom the top wall and the first and second side walls of the firsthousing section to create a first cavity portion, wherein the secondhousing section includes a top end wall and first and second side walls,the top end wall including at least first and second tubular structuresprotruding upwardly thereform, and wherein a ridge extends upwardly fromthe top end wall and the first and second side walls of the secondhousing section to create a second cavity portion, and wherein thecooperatively coupled first and second housing sections form a cavityfrom the first and second cavity portions.
 3. the waterproof GPS/radiounit of claim 2, wherein the waterproof housing further comprises acover having a body portion and at least first and second tubular coverportions, wherein the first tubular cover portion covers the firsttubular structure, the second tubular cover portion covers the secondtubular structure and at least a portion of the body portion of thecover is received in the cavity.
 4. The waterproof GPS/radio unit ofclaim 3, wherein each of the at least first and second cover tubularportions Includes an annular protrusion on an interior thereof sized tocompressibly contact an exterior surface of a tubular structure coveredthereby.
 5. The waterproof GPS/radio unit of claim 2, further comprisinga global positioning system antenna and a radio antenna.
 6. Thewaterproof GPS/radio unit of claim 5, wherein the first tubularstructure receives the global positioning system antenna and the secondtubular structure receives the radio antenna.
 7. The waterproofGPS/radio unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and secondhousing sections includes at least one opening therein, and wherein theat least one opening is sealed to substantially prevent the ingress ofwater therethrough.
 8. The waterproof GPS/radio unit of claim 7, whereinthe at least one opening is sealed with a curable, liquid sealant. 9.The waterproof GPS/radio unit of claim 8, wherein the curable, liquidsealant comprises a room temperature vulcanizing sealant.
 10. Thewaterproof GPS/radio unit of claim 7, wherein at least one memberextends through the at least one opening, and wherein the curable,liquid sealant is disposed about the member to seal the at least oneopening.
 11. The waterproof GPS/radio unit of claim 10, wherein thecurable, liquid sealant comprises a room temperature vulcanizingsealant.
 12. A waterproof housing for a combined global positioningsystem navigation unit and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radiounit) capable of wirelessly communicating with at least one other suchGPS/radio unit, the at least one other BPS/radio unit being configuredto transmit radio signals indicative of that GPS/radio units location,the waterproof housing comprising: a first housing section; a secondhousing section cooperatively coupled with the first housing section tocreate a watertight seal therewith; wherein one of the first housingsection and the second housing section includes a peripheral edgecarrying a continuous elastomeric gasket thereon, the other of the firsthousing section and the second housing section includes a peripheraledge against which the continuous elastomeric gasket is compressed; andwherein the continuous elastomeric gasket includes a continuous sealhead protruding from a face thereof the peripheral edge of the other ofthe first housing section and second housing section comprises apolished flat and the continuous seal bead is compressed against thepolished flat.
 13. The waterproof housing of claim 12, wherein the firsthousing section includes a top wall and first and second side walls, andwherein a ridge extends upwardly from the top wall and the first andsecond side walls of the first housing section to create a first cavityportion, wherein the second housing section includes a top end wall andfirst and second side walls, the top end wall Including at least firstand second tubular structures protruding upwardly therefrom, and whereina ridge extends upwardly from the top end wall and the first and secondside walls of the second housing section to create a second cavityportion, and wherein the cooperatively coupled first and second housingsections form a cavity from the first and second cavity portions. 14.The waterproof housing of claim 13, further comprising a cover having abody portion and at least first and second tubular cover portions,wherein the first tubular cover portion covers the first tubularstructure, the second tubular cover portion covers the second tubularstructure and at least a portion of the body portion of the cover isreceived in the cavity.
 15. The waterproof housing of claim 14, whereineach of the at least first and second cover tubular portions includes anannular protrusion on an interior thereof sized to compressibly contactan exterior surface of a tubular structure covered thereby.
 16. Thewaterproof housing of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first andsecond housing sections includes at least one opening therein, andwherein the at least one opening is sealed to substantially prevent theingress of water therethrough.
 17. The waterproof housing of claim 16,wherein the at least one opening is sealed with a curable, liquidsealant.
 18. The waterproof housing of claim 17, wherein the curable,liquid sealant comprises a room temperature vulcanizing sealant.
 19. Thewaterproof housing of claim 16, wherein at least one member extendsthrough the at least one opening, and wherein the curable, liquidsealant is disposed about the member to seal the at least one opening.20. The waterproof housing of claim 19, wherein the curable, liquidsealant comprises a room temperature vulcanizing sealant.
 21. A methodfor substantially waterproofing a combined global positioning systemnavigation unit and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit),comprising: disposing a GPS/radio unit that Is configured for wirelesslycommunicating with at least one other such GPS/radio unit at leastpartially within a housing section having at least one opening therein;and sealing the at least one opening to substantially prevent theingress of water therethrough; wherein sealing the at least one openingto substantially prevent the ingress of water therethrough comprisesplacing another housings section having a peripheral edge cooperativelyconfigured for continuous contact with a continuous contact andeffecting a continuous sent between the housing section and the anotherhousing section; forming a continuous elastomeric gasket along theperipheral edge of one of the housing section and the another housingsection, and compressing the continuous elastomeric gasket between thehousing section and the another housing section; forming the continuouselastomeric gasket comprises forming a seal bead protruding from asurface of the continuous elastomeric gasket and compressing the sealbead; and configuring the peripheral edge of another of the housingsection and the another housing section as a flat and compressing theseal head against the flat.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereindisposing the GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing sectionhaving at least one opening therein comprises disposing a GPS/radio unitat least partially within a housing section having a display openingthin sized and shaped for viewing a display therethrough.
 23. The methodof claim 22, wherein sealing the at least one opening to substantiallyprevent the ingress of water therethrough comprises: providing atransparent lens for covering the display opening; and sealing thetransparent lens proximate a periphery thereof to an exterior surface ofthe housing over the display opening such that the ingress of waterthrough the display opening is substantially prevented.
 24. The methodof claim 21, wherein disposing the GPS/radio unit at least partiallywithin a housing section having at least one opening therein comprisesdisposing a GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing sectionhaving an audio jack compartment, the audio jack compartment having anassociated opening through the wall of the housing section.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, wherein sealing the opening to substantially preventthe ingress of water therethrough comprises applying a curable liquidsealant to the at least one opening associated with the audio jackcompartment and curing the curable liquid sealant to create a watertight seal for substantially preventing the ingress of water through theat least one opening associated with the audio jack compartment.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein applying the curable liquid sealant to theat least one opening associated with the audio jack comprises applying aroom temperature vulcanizing sealant to the at least one openingassociated with the audio jack.
 27. The method of claim 21, whereindisposing the GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing sectionhaving at least one opening therein comprises disposing a GPS/radio unitat least partially within a housing section having a flex circuit slottherein sized and shaped for receiving a flex circuit therethrough. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein sealing the opening to substantiallyprevent the ingress of water therethrough comprises applying a curableliquid sealant to the flex circuit slot and curing the curable liquidsealant to create a water tight seal for substantially preventing theingress of water through the flex circuit slot.
 29. The method of claim28, wherein applying the curable liquid sealant to the flex circuit slotcomprises applying a room temperature vulcanizing sealant to the flexcircuit slot.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein disposing the(GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing section having atleast one opening therein comprises disposing a GPS/radio unit at leastpartially within a housing section having an electrical connector, theelectrical connector having at least one associated opening through thewall of the housing.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein scaling theopening to substantially prevent the ingress of water therethroughcomprises applying a curable liquid sealant to the at least one openingassociated with the electrical connector and curing the curable liquidsealant to create a water tight seal for substantially preventing theingress of water through the at least one opening associated with theelectrical connector.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein applying thecurable liquid sealant to the at least one opening associated with theelectrical connector comprises applying a room temperature vulcanizingsealant to the at least one opening associated with the electricalconnector.
 33. The method of claim 21, wherein disposing the GPS/radiounit at least partially within a housing having at least one openingtherein comprises disposing a GPS/radio unit at least partially within ahousing having at least one battery terminal, the at least one batteryterminal having an associated opening through the wall of the housingsection.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein sealing the opening tosubstantially prevent the ingress of water therethrough comprisesapplying a curable liquid sealant to the at least one opening associatedwith the at least one battery terminal and curing curable liquid sealantcapable to create a water tight seal for substantially preventing theingress of water through the at least one opening associated with the atleast one battery terminal.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein applyingthe curable liquid sealant to the at least one opening associated withthe at least one battery terminal comprises applying a room temperaturevulcanizing sealant to the at least one opening associated with the atleast one battery terminal.
 36. The method of claim 21, whereindisposing the GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing sectionhaving at least one opening therein comprises disposing a GPS/radio unitat least partially within a housing section having at least one batterycover slot, the battery cover slot having an associated opening throughthe wall of the housing section.
 37. The method of claim 36, whereinsealing the opening to substantially prevent the ingress of watertherethrough comprises applying a curable liquid sealant to the openingassociated with the battery cover slot and curing the curable liquidsealant to create a water tight seal for substantially preventing theingress of water through the opening associated with the battery coverslot.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein applying the curable liquidsealant to the opening associated with the battery cover slot comprisesapplying a room temperature vulcanizing sealant to the openingassociated with the battery cover slot.
 39. The method of claim 21,wherein disposing the GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housingsection having at least one opening therein comprises disposing aGPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing section having atleast one control button opening therein sized and shaped for permittinga control button to extend therethrough.
 40. The method of claim 39,wherein scaling the at least one opening to substantially prevent theingress of water therethrough comprises: providing a flexible,elastomeric cover having a body portion sized and shaped for receivingthe control button and a flange portion; and securing the flange portionof the flexible, elastomeric cover to a groove on an interior surface ofthe housing in a resilient, compressed interference fit.
 41. The methodof claim 21, wherein disposing the GPS/radio unit at east partiallywithin a housing section having at least one opening therein comprisesdisposing a GPS/radio unit at least partially within a housing sectionhaving at least one opening for passage of sound therethrough.
 42. Themethod of claim 41, wherein sealing the at least one opening tosubstantially prevent the ingress of water therethrough comprises:positioning an air and sound-permeable, water-impermeable membrane overthe at least one opening for passage of sound therethrough on aninterior surface of the housing section; and scaling a periphery of theair and sound-permeable, water-impermeable membrane to the interiorsurface of the housing section surrounding the at least one opening forpassage of sound therethrough.
 43. The method of claim 41, wherein theat least one opening for passage of sound therethrough comprises aplurality of openings, and wherein sealing the at least one opening toprevent the ingress of water therethrough comprises: positioning asealing element against an interior surface of the housing section withthe sealing element surrounding the plurality of openings; providing asound transmission device including a water-impermeable membrane overthe plurality of openings; and mechanically clamping thewater-impregnable membrane of the sound transmission device to thehousing section with the sealing element compressed therebetween. 44.The method of claim 21, further including polishing the flat.
 45. Themethod of claim 21, wherein forming the elastomeric gasket comprisesinjection molding the elastomeric gasket onto the one of the housingsection and the another housing section.
 46. The method of claim 21,wherein sealing the at least one opening to substantially prevent theingress of water therethrough comprises molding an elastomeric coverover the at least one opening.
 47. A method of forming a substantiallywaterproof enclosure for an electronic communications device,comprising: molding a first housing section defining a cavity and havinga peripheral edge; molding a second housing section defining a cavityand having a peripheral edge cooperatively configured for continuouscontact with the peripheral edge of the first housing section; molding acontinuous elastomeric gasket along one of the peripheral edge of thefirst housing section and the peripheral edge of the second housingsection; placing the first housing section and the second housingsection with their respective peripheral edges in mutual alignment andcompressing the continuous elastomeric gasket therebetween; whereinmolding the continuous elastomeric gasket comprises forming a seal beadprotruding from surface of continuous elastomeric gasket and whereincompressing the gasket comprises compressing the seal bead; andconfiguring the peripheral edge of one of the first housing section andthe second housing section as a flat and compressing the seal beadagainst the flat.
 48. The method of claim 47, further includingpolishing the flat.
 49. The method of claim 47, wherein molding of thefirst housing section, the second housing section and the elastomericgasket comprises injection molding.
 50. The method of claim 49, whereininjection molding of the elastomeric gasket is effected in a differentmold than injection molding of the first housing section.